Narcolepsy

Tyrosine: One capsule first thing in the morning for one week, then Two capsules first thing in the morning for one week, then Two capsules in the morning and two mid-morning thereafter

Homocysteine reducing factor : One tablet in the morning

Sam-e: One tablet twice a day

Co-enzyme Q10: one capsule twice a day

Description

Narcolepsy is a condition involving an extreme tendency to fall asleep in quiet surroundings or when engaged in monotonous activities. Narcolepsy patients can be woken easily and are instantly alert again. Narcolepsy patients can fall asleep at any time (as often as ten or more times per day). The Sleep attacks that are associated with Narcolepsy usually last for only a few minutes.

Prevalence

Narcolepsy is a relatively uncommon disorder - it affects approximately one person in every thousand.

These Substances may Alleviate Narcolepsy

Amino Acids

Tyrosine may improve the condition of Narcolepsy patients (by stimulating the endogenous production of Dopamine): references -After 6 months of oral Tyrosine supplementation many Narcolepsy patients are free from daytime sleep attacks and cataplexy.

Minerals

Boron may alleviate the Drowsiness associated with Narcolepsy by normalizing the Brain’s electrical impulses and stimulating the Brain.

Neurotransmitters

Dopamine deficiency may be implicated as a contributory factor in Narcolepsy.

Pharmaceutical Drugs

Ritalin is often prescribed by conventional medical practitioners for the treatment of Narcolepsy:

-Caution: Ritalin may cause depletion of the Neurotransmitter - Norepinephrine.

These Substances may Cause/Exacerbate Narcolepsy

Methylxanthines

The Drowsiness associated with Narcolepsy may occur as a side effect of Caffeine withdrawal.

Minerals

Excessive consumption of Bromine may cause the drowsiness that leads to Sleep in Narcolepsy patients.

Narcolepsy may Cause these Ailments (i.e. Symptoms)

Musculoskeletal System

Cataplexy is one of the symptoms of Narcolepsy.

Nervous System

Chronic Narcolepsy involves recurrent Drowsiness that leads to Sleep even in non-monotonous situations. Narcolepsy patients can experience auditory Hallucinations while they are falling asleep.

Department of Neurology, Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College Hospital, London.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of L-tyrosine was done in ten subjects with narcolepsy and cataplexy. Of twenty-eight visual analogue scales rating mood and arousal, the subjects’ ratings in the tyrosine treatment (9 g daily) and placebo periods differed significantly for only three (less tired, less drowsy, more alert). Ratings of daytime drowsiness, cataplexy, sleep paralysis, night-time sleep, overall clinical response, and measurements of multiple sleep latency and tests of speed and attention did not differ significantly between tyrosine and placebo periods. Dietary supplementation with tyrosine 9 g daily for 4 weeks seems to have a mild stimulant action on the central nervous system but this effect is not clinically significant in the treatment of the narcoleptic syndrome.

Narcolepsy is a disorder characterized by the sudden urge to sleep. The biochemical etiology of this disorder is believed to be due to dopamine abnormalities. Since the precursor of dopamine is L-tyrosine, the administration of this amino acid may prove beneficial in the treatment of narcolepsy. Preliminary research apparently supports this hypothesis.

Tyrosine supplementation (64 - 120 mg per kg of bodyweight per day) for six months caused the resolution of cataplexy, sleep attacks, sleep palsy, hypnogogic hallucinations, insomnia and depression in 100% of narcolepsy patients. Cataplexy is the first symptom of narcolepsy to resolve with tyrosine therapy.

L-dopa is used for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease on the basis of its ability to convert to dopamine in the brain. Dopamine itself cannot cross the blood-brain barrier. L-dopa CAN cross the blood-brain barrier. A limiting factor is that some L-dopa in the bloodstream is converted to dopamine before it reaches the brain. Vitamin B6 in the bloodstream increases the conversion of L-dopa to dopamine, rendering it ineffective for Parkinson’s disease patients. Parkinson’s disease patients should minimize their use of vitamin B6 supplements because it converts L- dopa to dopamine before it can reach the brain.